Skirt-supporter.



Patented Feb. 27, I900. A. R. GEUFFROY.

SKIRT SUPPORTER.

(Application fiIed Aug. 15, 1398.)

No. 644,4l7.

(No Model.)

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NrrEn STATE-s PATENT rric in.

ARTHUR R. GEOFFROY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SKlRT-SUPPORTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 644,417, dated February27, 1900.

Application filed August 15, 1898. Serial No. 688,588. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ARTHUR R. GEOFFROY, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city of New York, in the countyand State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Skirt-Supporters,&c.; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, andexact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is aface view, and Fig. 2 a transverse sectional view, of a device madeaccording to my invention. Fig. 3 is an edge view, and Fig. 4 a faceview, illustrating certain modifications included in my said invention.

This invention relates to that class of devices usually employed inconnection with articles of feminine apparel and designed fortemporarily supporting skirts, for holding handkerchiefs, and forvarious analogous purposes. It comprises certain new and usefulcombinations and arrangements of parts wherebyis produced a simple,easily-manipulated, and cheaply-manufactured article of the classmentioned.

A is a sheet-metal part the elements of which are a hook at, an elasticback plate b, and two lateral arms a, one adjacentto each edge of theback plate. These elements a I) care integral with each other, and inthe process of manufacture are shaped from a single piece of sheetmetal, preferably of brass or similar metal hard-rolled to afiord thedesired elasticity to the back plate I). The elasticity of the materialis made available by making the-back plate 1) free from the lateral arms0 opposite their pintle-holes, so that when pressed away from theselateral arms it will yield entirely with a resilient tendency. The hooka may be at the front of the device, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or atthe back thereof, as shown in Fig. 3. When desired, the form of the hookmay be modified to constitute, so to speak, a socket adapted to receiveand hold the end of a circular cord or the like, as shown in Fig. 4,without departing from my invention.

This connection is made by means of studs a, which are integral with thelever-plate and ex tend laterally from the edges thereof. These studswork in transverse holes provided in the ends of the arms 0. Normallythe lower portion b of the lever-plate B lies approximately parallelwith the back plate I), but its shorter portion 0 is at an angle to thepart b, so that its edge bears toward the adjacent surface of the backplate, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. This edge a of the part c of theleverplate should be serrated to more efiectually provide for itsgripping action presently to be explained. The opposite or freeextremity of the part b is provided with lateral lugs f, which restagainst the adjacent edges of the inner portions of the arms 0 and whichshould extend laterally somewhat beyond the same. The parts should be soproportioned that when the lugs f are thus against the arms 0 the part cof the lever-plate is maintained at that angle to the back plate 19which is the most effective in securing a firm grip upon materialinterposed between said back plate and said edge of the part c of thelever-plate. Further, the lugs f afiord a convenient means whereby thelever-plate may be manipulated in applying the apparatus to use, therebymaterially promoting the increased utility of the latter.

For some purposes it is desirable that the apparatus be reduced inlength without short ening the hook a. To secure this without interfering with the swing of the lever-plate, I recess the end of thepart b of the latter, as shown in Fig. 1, and prolong the point of thehook a into said recess. By this means I preserve the efiective lengthof the part b and its full leverage upon the shorter part c and at thesame time retain the full length of the hook a. e

In the use and operation of the apparatus the hook a may be hung upon awaist-belt or the like with the elastic back plate I) and thelever-plate B pendent therefrom, so that a gathered fold of a skirt, ahandkerchief, or other fabric may be thrust between the clastic backplate and the edge of the part c of the lever-plate, the latter beingmanipulated to afford the requisite opening to receive the fabric andthen to grip the same by bringing the part b of the lever-plate to itsposition parallel or nearly so with the back plate I).

lVhen desired, the position of the device may be the reverse of thatjust described. In other Words, as in the drawings, the hook it made thependent, While the back plate and lever-plate are gripped upon a fold ofthe garment to suspend the hook with any article which may be attachedthereto.

lVhat I claim as my invention is- 1. The combination of the part, A,composed of the elastic back plate, the hook, and the arms, 0, integralwith each other, with the lever-plate, B, constructed as described,pivoted to the arms, 0, and having the integral laterally-extended lugs,f, arranged to rest normally upon said arms, substantially as and forthe purpose herein set forth.

2. The combination of the part, A, composed of the elastic back plate,the hook, and the arms, 0, integral with each other, the lever-plate, B,pivoted to the arms, 0, having the laterally-extended lugs, f, arrangedto rest upon the arms, 0, and constructed with the recess, at its end toreceive the adjacent portion of the hook, substantially as and for thepurpose herein set forth.

ARTHUR R. GEOFFROY.

Vitnesses:

GEO. HARRISON MCADAM, ARTHUR FRED RoUssEL.

